The Tiger Within 204 An Interesting Dinner Part 1

"Yes well, I have to concede there. However dinner tonight, I have arranged. Care to join us?" Clovis extended the offer as he stood. Kyera gracefully moved the chair back and raised to her feet. Her dark dress flowing around her as she did. The breeze toying with the thin shadow fabric.

"I would be delighted." Kyera replied with a humble, sweet smile. Clovis felt his heartbeat quicken a bit as she took his arm, standing close enough for him to catch her sent. It was soft and warm, faintly of medicinal herbs and tea spices but also the undertone of forest scents. Earthy and warm, unlike those pure flower scents. It was more real.

"Good. We must not keep the others waiting too long." Clovis replied guiding her toward the dining hall in his Palace. Kyera followed quietly, honestly a bit lost in thought as she considered his words this evening.

It wasn't till they entered the dining hall that she realized he had indeed said others. Sitting at the low table were 4 people. Two of whom, Kyera recognized. One being the Empress and the other being Mordrin. Beside him sat a beautiful woman who resembled The Empress and Kyera could vaguely guess was Mordrin's beloved Vella. However the other man at the table, Kyera didn't recognize at all.

He was tall and straight backed. A shorter silvery mustache and beard filling out is square jaw. Silver hair was pulled back into a rather complex braid that Kyera vaguely recognized from the Snow Phoenix Kingdom. His black eyes a stark contrast to his fair skin and hair. He eyed her critically but a small smile curved his lips. Kyera could smell the faint scent of a fellow predator.

"Snow cat." she whispered and he smiled at her, they shared a moment of understanding. Kyera then understood she was not alone in this room. The Snow Kin do not follow forest Law and honestly have their own Codes, but Kyera knew they would never truly endanger their kingdom, or their cousins of the forest.

He stood and bowed at her. Kyera swept a deep curtsy seemingly to the room, but his bow was obviously to her. "Lady Kyera Shade of the Moon, I have heard so much of you." he greeted with a toothy smile. Kyera was taken back by his knowledge of her. She had no idea where he would have learned anything of her since she knew nothing of him.

"My lord, forgive me but I do not know to whom I speak." Kyera greeted honestly and he looked slightly disgruntled but she continued fluently. "Would you do me the Honor of correcting my error?"

Mordrin stood as well and joined the three standing. "My apologies, Lady Kyera as your mutual acquaintance i should introduce you three. Lady Kyera, Prince Clovis this is Viren Frostmoon. He is the crown Prince of the Snow Phoenix Empire." Mordrin introduced and the white haired man bowed his head respectably. Kyera's eyes lit up.

"Your Queen Kathry's son!" she realized aloud and he winced slightly. "She was such a honorable and elegant woman. I am so sorry for what happened to her. I miss her very much." Kyera extended her sympathies as she recalled the older woman. No wonder he looked slightly familiar. He clearly resembled his mother.

"I am surprised to hear you speak so fondly of her after… everything." he trailed off and Kyera's eyes darkened. She knew exactly what he spoke of. During the hunts, Kyera's grandfather had begged for safe haven in the Phoenix lands, but had been asked to wait. One group had forcibly took up refuge in one of her cities and ended with everyone being denied. It had cost quite a few lives, but was the fault of the outcast kin. Not the lady.

"I held no one at fault but the ones who crossed her." Kyera a.s.sured him carefully aware of the non kin in the room.